Temperature controlled oil system



OCt. 21, 1952 w JENSEN TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED OIL SYSTEM 2 SHEETS-SHEET1 Filed Jan. 25,- 1946 69"!" 7"] l A I I I 1 VI rIJ VIII/Il m 52 o o o HE M M N 5 NE 0 m A I D N O 56 44% M R 7? 3 7 Y n 4 A B r. 4 4 5 a T 5 wr w\ .ml 3 3 m N T 2 4 3 5 4 3 \q\\ v w 3 3 R. W. JENSEN TEMPERATURECONTROLLED OIL SYSTEM Oct. 21, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I Filed Jan. 25,1946 INVENTOR. W. JENSEN RAYMOND ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 21, 1952 I (if2,614,575.

V TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED on. svs'r'E Raymond W. Jensen, LosAngelcs,.Calif.-, assignor to-The Garrett Corporation, Los Angeles,Calif a corporation of California a "Application January 25, 19 46,Serial No. 643,269

This invention relates generally to lubrication systems, and moreparticularly to lubrication systems for internal combustion engines suchas are used, for example, in aircraft and the like. While the inventionhas utility'invarious types of lubrication systems, it is herein shownand described-as embodied in a lubrication system for aircraft engines,and it isfian objectof the invention to provide alu brication systemwherein the. lubricating fluid or. oil for. the engine is properlyconditioned. so thatadequateand eflicient lubrication of said .enginemaybe provided atall times, and starting at low temperatures isfacilitated.1

This conditioning of the oil by the present invention is effected by:providing a reservoir having an outlet connected with the engine. and;

an inlet for returning oil. .A-.conduit,.or hopper, is provided in thereservoirwhich. provides a passage between said inlet .and outletthroughwhich hot oil .may flowdirectlybetween'said inlet and outletduringzthewarming-up period of-the engine. A. diverter valve is.provided in the hopper,-.and controls the'flow of oil therethrough, saidvalve beingcontrolled by a temperature responsive device -so--thatwhenthe oil reaches its normal operatingtemperature, the valve isclosed. The valveis located adjacent the lower end ofthe ,hopper, andwhen-closed causes the oil to overflow from the upper end.

of the hopper, the overflow oilbeing conveyed outwardly toward thesidesor corners. of the reservoir to thereby effect rapid warming up ofthe body of oil in the'reservoir.

Another object of the invention. is to provide means adjacent the lower'end of the hopper vide means for effecting said dilution, which meansis adapted to effect openings ofthe diverter valve during the dilutionoperation.

12 Claims. (crisis-11o Fig. 2 is a partial enlarged diagrammaticsecareturned outwardly adjacent their ends. These Furtherobjects andadvantages of the invention will be brought out of the specification.

Referring to the, drawings; which are forillustrative purposesonly,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic or schematic view, partially in section, of. alubrication system emey n th nies tinven q in the following part.

spaced from the outlet 12, and a diverter valve,

tional viewof the diverter valve and dilution valve, and the means forcontrolling said valve;

Fig.3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 r of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing thediverter valve in the closed position;

Fig. .5 is a similar view showing the diverter valve in the openposition; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing an alternative arrangementof themeans for electrically controlling the position of the diverter valve,and opening the dilution valve.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown an engine, indicated generallyat It, having a lubrication system which includes a reservoir I|,havingan outlet opening I2 in the bottom thereof, communicating with 2.depending sump I indicatedgenerally at 13, the lower end of which isconnected by a conduit M which leads to the enginalt. "The engine isprovided with the usualscavenger pump, not shown, and means is providedfor conveying oil from the engine back to the reservoir II. This meansis shown ascomprising conduits-l5 and 16 between which of a characterwherein the hot oil from the engine may either flow through the cooleror conditioning means, or may bypass said cooler, in the well knownmanner. Return oil, conveyed by conduit It is discharged from the openend of the portion IQ of said conduit I6, said portion 19 extending intothe reservoir through an inlet opening in the top Wall 28 of thereservoir, which is aligned with the outlet port or opening l2.'

Within the reservoir there is disposed a tube or hopp er' 2| having itsupper end positioned adjaceht the discharge end E9 of the conduit it.The" hopper is aligned with the reservoir inlet and. outlet and thelower end has means for attachment to the bottom of the reservoir. Asshown, this means comprises arms Zia which outwardly turned parts of thearms Zia have openings thereinfor reception of bolts or screws 2 lbwhereby the hopper issecured to the reservoir. bottom. The lower end ofthe hopper is indicated generally at 22, is located in the lower portionOfsaidhopper. The diverter valve, as best shown in Fig. 2, comprises arotatable disc 23 which overlies a spider 24, shown as formedimperforate sections of the spider, at which time the valve is closed.The valve-also has a stem 2! which is axially attached to -the disc 23and which depends therefrom. If "desireduthe valve stem may be providedwith to "reisluc'e frictional resistance toits movements. As shown,

there is a bearing 28, adjacent the upper end of 1 the stem, located ina recess of a central portion 29 of the spider. extends into an enlargedportion 30 of the The lower end of the stein sump I 3, and has a reduced"end portion 31-, -re- V ceived in abearing '32, located-in bearinghousing 33 whichhas radially extendingarms '34 formed integrally withthe portion 30. However, it is to be understood that the bearing supportarms 34 may be "a separate member which may be otherwise attached to thewall of the portion 34 as by welding, rivets, bolts, or the like.

The portion of the hopper below the disc 23, as shown in the drawing,"may be provided with a plurality of openings 35, thepdrposeof whichwill be hereinafter described. A djacentits upper end, the hopper isflared outwardly at '36 anel radially or laterally extending trbughsfl-l'are provided which are adapted to convey div'ert'ed oil to the outerportions of the reservoir. If desired, these troughs may be so arrangedas to deliver said diverted oil to "the corners of the reservoir.

Means for controlling the "diverter valve 22 accordance withtemperature, may be provided and, as shown, comprises a coiledbimetallic thermostat 38, the inner end of which is attached to the stem21 as bestfshbwn at '39 in Figs. 3 and 6. In the arrangement showni-ni'ig s. 1-, z-ande, the outer end of thejthermo's'tat i's attached bya rivet or screw 40 to the adjacent wall or the portion off-the sump.The thermostat is era type which will expand with a temperature rise.

In the arrangement above described, -the "thei mostat will move the disc'23 to the open pcs'i tion, such as shown in Fig. 5, when temperaturesare low. At this time, hot oil passing through the system from theengine, is 'delivered'into the hopper and'willlpasstherethrough into theand thence back to the engine through conduit l4. Thus, when the engineis 'warming "up, a limited quantity of suitable fluid oil willcircirlate through the system. "the "oil passes through the hopper it-ii'lilleffec't "a heating iipof congealed oil adjacent the exteriorwall 'bf'said hopper. At the same time, limited quantities of relativelycold oil will pa's's'lthrcugh the hpe'ning's 3 5, into the stream of hoto'il, and the'rewillalsb be a certain amount or oil froin'the'reservcirwhich will 'enter the stream or hot oil by 'way of the space between theldwe'r end of the hopper and the bottom of thereservpir. U I,

As the temperature 0! the oil passing through the sump increases, thethermostat will expand and rotate the disc, first reducing "theefiective size of the passageways provided by "the reg i'ss teredopenings 25 and 26, and-finally movingthe disc 23 to the 'positionshcwnin Fig 4, wherein oil flow through the hopper entirely stepped.

As the valve 22 begins to close and reduce the quantity of oil that mayflow past said valve, the oil in said hopper will fill same until itreaches the level of the troughs 37, and will overflow into saidtroughs. This overflow oil is relatively hot and fluid, and is conveyedby the troughs to the outer portions of the reservoir where it will mixwith the cold viscous oil endwar m it up. With this 'ari afi'g'ement thebody 'of oil in the hopper may be rapidly warmed and decongealed so thatit will be in suitable condition to pass to the engine for lubricatingthe various parts thereof.

Means for dil'utihg the oil in the lubrication system is alfscprovid'edin order to provide oil of a s'hitable eharactei to permit readystarting of "the-engine "when the latter is cold. Generally gasoline, orsimilar fluid, is injected into the oil circulation system immediatelyprior to the stopping -cf the engine, in order to provide a sufiicientlythin lubricant during the cranking period and initial warming up period.In the present invention, diluting fluid is supplied through *a conduit41 which is connected with a chamber 42 ina valve'housing 43. The cham--ber =42 is -separated from an outlet chamber F44 by a wall 45 having a:passage 46 therethrough which. when open, provides communicationbetween said chambers "42 and 44. The "outlet chamber -44 is connected:with the sump by a con"- duit '41., and the passage-orfport 46 iscontrolled lay-a valve =48 which has astem 49 connected to an a'rmature500i a. solen'oid, indicated generally at 5i. The other end of thearmature :is -provided with a link 52 which is slidablyreceived in anopening provided therefor in the adjacent wall of the sump. Theend'ofthe link opposite the armature is 'dow'nturned at '53., and saiddownturned end :portion is .pivotally connected with 'theouter-:fi'eeend of a lever 54. The opposite end of the'leveri'spr'oVided withan open ing through which the valve stem 21 isreceived, said lever being rotatable on the stem. A slot 55 is provided'in "the lever '54 adjacent thestem, and. a pin 56, which-is secured tothestem 21, is received in said slot 55.

The armature 50 is urged to the right, "as shown in the drawings, bymeans of a spring 5'! which re'acts between one end of the armature andthe boss 58 "formed integral with the wall of the sump. The spring fyield-ingly urges the valve 48 to the closed .position and a't the-sametime maintains thelever 54 in the position-shown in-Figs. +2an'd 3.

When the lever is zpcsition'ed as shownin Figs. 2 and 3, the pin "56 islocated in the slot 55, that the thermostat may effect opening andclosin 6f the valve 22 in accordance with the temperature 'of the oil towhich it is exposed.

To effect dilution of theoil l in the system, the solenoid is energized,whereupon the armature 50 is moved to the left-as shown'in'the drawings,and the valve 48 is opened. Simultaneously, the lever "54 is moved in aclbckwise direction so that the right-hand end of the slot '55 willengage the Ipin 56 and Iposi-tively'rbtate the valve disc 23 to the"open position, such as shown in Fig. *5. When this occurs, dilutingflliid will now-into the sump' i t beillg tihd'el'stbbd that Saidflllidis 511pplied under pressure, and the engine permitted to operate for ashort time. During this period of time the diluted "hi-l will fill theconduits I-4 and l5, the cooler l1,.the 'conduit" |8, and'th'ehdppelffil. inasmu h the valve 22 is open, the main-bawdy or-ohmtheres'ervdir will not be appreciably diluteda's diluted cilwill'pessifrom theconduit l6 through the hopper-2|, into the sump, .and thenceinto the engine by way of conduit l4. When-the operator, has-permittedthe engine ,to run a sufficient. time to fill the above describedcircuit with diluted oil, he will cutoffthe supply of diluting fluid andstop the engine.

The means for. energizing the solenoid istrolling the'solenoid.circuitnand said switch is located atsome position convenientlyaccessible tothe operator. I

.In the alternative arrangement shown in. Fig. 6, the outerend of thethermostat 38 is operably attached to the link 52. With.=this'arrangement the movement of the armature 50.to the left, as shown in thedrawing, will move the thermostat in a counter-clockwise direction, andcause the valve disc to be moved to the open position.

I claim:

1. In a lubricating system for internal combustion engines: an oilreservoir having an inlet adjacent the top thereof and an outletadjacent the bottom thereof; a substantially vertical hopper in thereservoir adapted to receive lubricating fluid from the reservoir inletand to discharge same adjacent the outlet, the lower end of said hopperbeing spaced from said outlet; valve means, including a rotatable valvemember, located within the hopper adjacent the lower end thereof; aplurality of openings in the hopper wall downstream of the valve; aplurality of troughs adjacent the upper end of the hopper and adapted toconvey oil to remote parts of the reservoir; temperature responsivemeans for actuating the valve, said temperature responsive 7 means beingso located as to be subjected to the temperature of oil leaving thereservoir from the outlet thereof; a source of diluting fluidfor'injection into oil downstream of the temperature responsive means; avalve for controlling the flow of diluting fluid; means urging the valveto the closed position; electrically controlled means for opening thevalve; and a lost motion connection between said electrically operatedmeans and the dilution valve, said connection being so constructed andarranged that the dilution valve will be positively opened when theelectrically controlled means functions.

2. In lubricant conditioning and control means: a reservoir forlubricating fluid having an inlet adjacent the top thereof and an outletadjacent the bottom thereof; a substantially vertical hopper in thereservoir forming a passage between the inlet and outlet; means forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said passage; temperatureresponsive means for operating said control means; means for admittinglubricant diluting fluid adjacent the lower end of the hopper; andelectrical means for controlling the lubricant diluting means, saidelectrical means being adapted to also actuate the means for controllingthe fluid through the hopper so as to effect a fluid flow therethrough.

3. In lubricant conditioning and control means:

a reservoir for lubricating fluid having an inlet adjacent the topthereof and an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof; a substantiallyvertical hopper in the reservoir forming a passage between the inlet.and outlet; a valve for-controlling the flow of fluid through thehopper; means for injecting diluting fluid into the lubricant aslubricant. leaves hopper; means for controlling the diluting fluidinjection means; and a lost motion connection between said dilutingcontrol means and the hopper valve, said connection being so constructedand arranged that the hoppervalve will open when the diluting controlmeans is actuated to inject diluting fluid. I

4. In lubricant conditioning and control means: a reservoirfcrlubricating fluid having an inlet and an outlet portion; a hopper inthe reservoir between the inlet and outlet; valve means in the hopperfor controlling the flow of fluid therethrough; temperature responsivemeans for controllingsaid valve means; means for introducing dilutingfluidinto the outlet portion; an electrically operated device forcontrollin the last mentioned means; and a connection between saiddevice and one end of the temperature responsive meanswhereby, whensaiddevice is actuated, the valve is moved to an open position.

5. In lubricant conditioning and control means: a reservoir forlubricating fluid having an inlet and an outlet; a hopper in thereservoir operably disposed between the inlet and outlet thereof; aplurality of troughs leading from the upper end of the hopper to remoteparts of the reservoir, said troughs being adapted to receivelubricating fluid overflowing from the top of the hopper and adapted todischarge said fluid at said remote parts of the reservoir; andtemperature responsive means, including a valve adjacent the lower endof said hopper, for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

6. In control means for lubricating systems: a reservoir for lubricatingfluidhaving an inlet and an outlet portion, said inlet being adjacentthe top of the reservoir and said outlet portion being adjacent thebottom thereof; a substantially vertical hopper in said reservoiroperably located between the inlet and outlet thereof; a diverter valvelocated intermediately of the ends of the hopper for controlling theflow of fluid therethrough; temperature responsive means for controllingsaid valve, said temperature responsive means being located in saidoutlet portion; means for introducing diluting fluid into said outletportion, said means including a dilution control valve; and means,including a lost motion connection, between the dilution and divertervalves whereby the latter will be opened upon opening of the dilutionvalve.

.7. The invention defined by claim 6, wherein the lost motion connectioncomprises a pin and slot arrangement.

8. The invention defined by claim 6, wherein the dilution valve iscontrolled by a solenoid.

9. The invention defined by claim 6, wherein there is a spring yieldablyurging the dilution valve to the closed position; and there is anelectrically controlled device adapted to effect opening of saiddiverter valve.

10. In a lubricant conditioning system: a reservoir for lubricatingfluid having an inlet and an outlet; a hopper in the reservoir operablydisposed between the inlet and outlet thereof, said reservoir beingvertically disposed; a plurality of troughs adjacent the upper end ofsaid hopper and adapted to receive overflow oil therefrom and conductingsaid oil to remote parts of the reservoir; and temperature responsivemeans, including a valve within the hopper, for controlling the flow offluid therethrough.

:tween the inlet a'n'd outlet thereof; a plurality of troughs disposedadjacent the upper end of the hopper and leading therefrom to remoteparts of the reservoir; {a valve in said hopper for controlling the flowof Ifluid'therethrough; and means forcontrolli'ng said valve.

12. In a lubricant conditioning and control means: a reservoir forlubricating fluid, said reservoir having :an inlet and an outlet; ahopper in said reservoir operably located between the inlet and theoutlet thereof; means for conveyin'g overflow "oil from the upper end ofthe hopper to remote parts of the reservoir; temperature responsive'mea'ns,-'including a valve adjacent the lower end of said hopper, forcorr- -trol1ingthe flow of fluid therethr'o'ug'h; and means for dilutingthe outflowing oil comprising a valve =Ior controlling theintroduct'ionof diluting :iiuid and a. connection between said valve and thevalve'adjacent the lower end of the hopper whereby the latter is moved"to an open position when the dilution valve :is'open. r

- W. JENSEN.

REFERENGES CITED The following references are of record in the file 'ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 51.;924.,033 .l-Ierbsmen r...'22, V19% 2,02l;282 Blanchard :Nov. 19,, 1935 2,133,394 Mortier....'Oct. 18,1938 2,311,069 Miller Feb. 16,, 1943 2383;878 Miller 128,,.1945 2308,265 Mill-er n Sept. 24, 1-946 2;435),359 Landis .Feb. 5-3,1948 jI-Iostetter :Feb. 324, 1948

